A CIVIC reception was held to mark the 140th anniversary of one of Renfrewshire’s oldest firms.

WJ & W Lang, producers of high-quality tanned leather at their factory on Paisley’s Seedhill Road, was honoured by Councillor Celia Lawson, Provost of Renfrewshire, at the event at the town’s Watermill Hotel.

The company, which has been in Paisley since 1872, is the oldest manufacturing company in Paisley producing on its original site.

The firm employs 60 people, many of them local and continues to invest in staff training, qualifications and equipment.

The Provost, George Adam MSP, and the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Guy Clark, were among those who attended the reception, as well as Lang employees past and present, and directors of the Scottish Leather Group, which owns the company.

In recognition to their long association with Paisley and their commitment to the local community, Lang donated £750 to two causes: Paisley Abbey’s Fourth Cloister Project (tanning has been taking place on site for over 700 years, when the monks of Paisley Abbey made their sandal leather at Seedhill Crags) and the Provost’s Charity Fund.

Mrs Lawson said: “Renfrewshire has a proud industrial past and, as one of the area’s longest running manufacturing companies, W J and W Lang are a fantastic example of that continuing into the present.

“I greatly enjoyed my visit to the company earlier this year, seeing how the business works and has changed over the years and especially meeting the dedicated workforce.

“This reception is a way of celebrating their continuing prominent position in Renfrewshire’s business community.”

Hugh Gilmour, W J & W Lang managing director, gave a vote of thanks.

He said: “We would like to thank the Provost for hosting such a memorable event for our 140th anniversary.

“We’ve been manufacturing in Paisley for a very long time and have seen generations of families work in the tannery, some now in their third generation.

“We remain committed to investing in our manufacturing process, from staff and training to innovation and sustainability.

“We hope that future employees can also see the benefit and are equally as dedicated to working for a local specialist company who supplies leather around the world.”